The History of Enslaved People at UA, 1828-1865

Lydia

Item

Name

Lydia

Age

21 when she arrives at UA in 1842

Basil Manly Diary II (1834-1846) image 277, Jan 11, 1842 (Lydia's arrival in Tuscaloosa)

"I find that my good old Father Randulph has sent me 5 servants, old & young – viz – Jack 51 years old, Molly 49, Lydia 21, Ben 13, & Hetty, child of Lydia, born Nov 10th 1840. These servants are a part of my wife’s portion of his estate."

Birth Date

c. 1821

Sex

Female

Freedom Status

Enslaved

Living Location

President's Mansion, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa

Child of

Molly

Basil Manly Diary V (1847-1857) image 136, April 3, 1850 (sale of Molly to Thomas H. Walker)

"This day I sold old Molly to Thomas H. Walker for $50 – note secured by Wm H Owin, Butcher, payable from Jan 1 1851 with interest from date. I could have got $100 for her, in the market, but I took that sum to let her be with her daughter, where she wishes to go. Lydia was sold to Walker last year."

Parent of

Hetty

Basil Manly Diary II (1834-1846) image 277, Jan 11, 1842 (Hetty's arrival in Tuscaloosa)

"I find that my good old Father Randulph has sent me 5 servants, old & young – viz – Jack 51 years old, Molly 49, Lydia 21, Ben 13, & Hetty, child of Lydia, born Nov 10th 1840. These servants are a part of my wife’s portion of his estate."

John

Basil Manly Diary II (1834-1846) image 300, Feb 22, 1843 (Birth of son John)

"Between the hours of 12 & 1 o’clock this morning, my servant, Lydia, was delivered of a male child. The affair was all over within 15 minutes after we were first apprized of her complaints – and some time before the mid-wife could be procured. All doing well. The child is named John."

Fanny

Basil Manly Diary II (1834-1846) image 372, Dec 23, 1844 (birth of daughter Fanny)

"Our woman, Lydia, was delivered of a female child. She was delivered before the midwife came to her. This happened so with her last child. Named Fanny."

Serena

Basil Manly Diary II (1834-1846) image 410, Oct 31, 1846 (birth of daughter Serena)

"This afternoon, about 6 o’clock, my woman, Lydia, was delivered of a son. As usual with her, the child was born before the midwife would be got to her. All doing well, however. The child turns out to be a daughter. & is named Serena."

Basil Manly Diary V (1847-1857) image 89, 27 May 1849 (death of daughter Serena)

"A child of Lydia, named Serena, about 3 years old, died this aft about 4 o’clock. She had been taken ill of diarrhoea a few days ago, a complaint that is very prevalent, and in some instances fatal, in these parts. This is possibly connected with the prevalence of Asiatic cholera at Mobile & on the Mississippi, and generally at the west & northwest of us. A few hours before the death of the child some large worms were discharged, whether this had anything to do with the fatal issue of the disorder, I don’t know."

Charity

Basil Manly Diary V (1847-1857) image 45, May 12, 1848

"Frid. May 12. Our woman, Lydia, was safely delivered of a female child this morning, between three & four o’clock named Charity."

Work Location

President's Mansion, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa

Occupation

Domestic

Property Value

When sold to Thomas H. Walker with Charity in 1849, the bill of sale listed their collective price at $625

Basil Manly Diary V (1847-1857) image 117, July 26, 1849 (sale of Lydia and Charity)

"On thurs. July 26. I sold to Thomas H. Walker, Pilot, my woman Lydia and her youngest child, Charity. He gives me two notes for the sum of $312.50 each, payable on the first of July 1850, and 1851 severally. And he has executed a deed of trust on his real estate in Tuskaloosa and on the property I have now sold him, to secure the payment.

Enslaver

Basil Manly (Second President of the University of Alabama 1837-1855) and Sarah Manly

Thomas H. Walker

Leaser

Prof. Barnard

Basil Manly Diary V (1847-1857) image 80, Jan 1, 1849 (hire to Barnard)

"Mon. Jan. 1 I have hired my boy, Ben, to Prof. Barnard for $100 this year. Barnard took Lydia, and kept her for a fortnight –not suiting him, he discharged her. He was to have her for $50."

Item sets

Enslaved by Manly Family

Enslaved by Presidents, Professors, and Trustees

Site pages

Their Names

Lydia